What are some of the best and cheapest comptency based education programs out there?

[socsci]

There is also North Arizona University.

I went with Patten and i'm very happy with my decision.
It is self paced.
Courses must be taken in order and each course has a final test and project which is usually a written paper on the subject.
A short test is taken before the start of the course, if the score is high enough then the final test is opened up.
Most courses are around 8 units, with a text book to read (provided online for free), flash cards, videos and supplemental material from other websites. There is also access to the whole online library and materials, not just the ones related to your degree. Books can be downloaded for 14 days at a time.
Each unit has a 10 question quiz to help determine if you are ready to move on, but it is not part of the grading. An unproctored pre-final test is taken to unlock the final test. The final tests are proctored.

There are two grading routes for each course: the standard and challenge.
1. Work on the unit exercises and graded assignments, take the final test and submit the project.
2. Take the final test and submit the project. The grade is given from the final test and project.

The standard has scores spread out so it is possibly a little easier but is a little more work. I have used the challenge route for all courses up to now because I prefer to just read, final test and then do the project.

You can't start the next course until the course you are in has been completed, however you can click 'work ahead' and you have access to all materials, you just can't access the final exam and project.

My experience so far has been very positive. The staff are all very helpful, especially my advisor who is pretty awesome. She stays in touch to see how things are going and always has positive things to say that help boost confidence. For the first month she checked in every week and took time to write long messages so we got to know each other.
It says allow 7 days for papers to be graded, but so far they have all been graded in 3 days. The grading sticks to the rubric and the projects are very clear. Download the project info and rubric, stick to the rubric and no problems.